A park more for nostalgia than fun. It has a decent (but slow) roller coaster and a Ferris wheel. The whole park is set up at the end of the Santa Monica Pier close to Third Street Promenade. Good for a few hours before or after your shopping trip.
Tickets can be pricey for the rides. I recall the Ferris wheel being about $4 or so per person. At night, there are a lot of teenagers and couples mulling around. Daytime is more for the tourists.
Because the beach is right below the pier, it provides an idyllic setting for a small amusement park. However, the rides are not that fun or cheap... I would settle just for the beach.
more